Cloneen Old Graveyard

Explorer Tom The Thatch in Ballyhomuck is where a priest lost a bet and now has to pay for every roof repair for the next fifty years, according to local rumour. It’s a two-storey vernacular gem that’s been conserved recently, so if you see a man in a cassock looking grumpy, it’s probably him thinking about that bad call.

Explorer Tom Catholic Church of the Visitation in Ballyhomuck has a secret escape tunnel under the graveyard that its first owner used to sneak out after missing mass. The limestone bellcote is carved so beautifully because the craftsmen knew they’d be judged by heaven if it looked even slightly clunky. If you see smoke coming from the chimney, don’t panic; it’s just warming up for vespers.

Explorer Tom Mill in Milestown is still standing there with its original structure, looking like it wants to go back to work grinding corn for a living. If it won the lotto, I bet it would buy a new water wheel just to show off its old skills. Go on, give that substantial building a respectful nod and keep moving.

Explorer Tom Ballinard Castle is five stories of Roche family drama wrapped up in a tower house that’s now married to a 19th-century house. The name probably means 'the place where you lose your keys,' just ask me. Have a look and decide if I was lying.

Explorer Tom Clare Castle in Clare Beg is secretly incredibly proud of one specific potato that grew near its base three hundred years ago. It’s a hall-house on an island, which sounds like a very exclusive, slightly damp club for historical architecture. Bring biscuits, every good story needs biscuits.

Explorer Tom Silver Fir in County Tipperary once had a cow try to buy the whole lot with a single hoof stamp on a contract. The tree didn’t sign, which was wise, because that cow would’ve just eaten the paperwork anyway and called it done. Great spot to propose. Or at least to propose lunch.

Explorer Tom European ash in County Tipperary knows the shortcut through its branches isn't actually a shortcut at all, but rather a very slow, leafy detour that takes three hours longer. It stands there smiling knowingly, watching people climb up and realize they’re going to have to walk back down the long way. Tell the kids it's a castle. Close enough.

Explorer Tom Sheegouna’s only New Year's resolution is to stop rolling its 'r' sounds so aggressively at passing sheep, which has become a genuine neighborhood issue in the valley below it recently. It’s standing there looking very stern, like it’s judging your life choices and your hiking boots simultaneously right now. Dare you to say hello to it out loud.

Explorer Tom Slievenamon is proud that it has a legend about a fairy queen, which is the only thing keeping its ego from completely deflating on a cloudy afternoon when nobody is paying attention to it specifically or generally for that matter at all ever again now really. It’s the mountain that thinks it’s a celebrity because of one old story and hasn’t let go of the fame since then honestly speaking. Visit

Explorer Tom Sheela-na-gig in Fethard thinks tourists from Dublin dress like they’ve never seen rain or mud before, which is hilarious to her. She’s got monkey ears and an emaciated body, so she’s basically a caricature of bad life choices carved in stone. Bring a camera and your most suspicious face.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Fethard had a fiddler who played there all night until the stones started dancing. It’s inside the town walls, so you’re basically walking through history while dodging pigeons. Bring wellies and low expectations, leave delighted.